Danny Caro's JC MSFL Division Two review

There was late drama in Division Two as the Hornets of Hendon upstaged long-time leaders Camden Park. Danny Caro gives a blow-by-blow accounts.

1. HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Record: Pl. 18, W. 13, D. 1, L. 4, F. 62, A. 32, Pts. 40
Best result: 3-1 vs Camden
Biggest win: 7-2 vs Faithfold C
Worst result: 4-0 vs Lions B
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 1
Best signing: Ari Nevies
Star men: Tali Nevies, Ari Nevies, RA Noe
Top-scorer: RA Noe 17
DC Rating: At the start of the season, Motty Korman, Hendon’s joint-manager told me that the aim was to “push for promotion”. I took that comment with a pinch of salt, but full credit to the Reds for talking the talk and walking the walk. A crucial victory over Camden Park in the run-in proved decisive as they won the title on goal difference. It was a real team effort, with the Noe brothers forming a rock-solid spine, and with momentum behind them, I expect them to feature strongly in the mix again next season. 9/10

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2. CAMDEN PARK
Record: Pl. 18, W. 12, D. 4, L. 2, F. 52, A. 31, Pts. 40
Best result: 3-2 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 6-1 vs Redbridge B
Worst result: 4-2 vs Lions B
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 1
Best signing: Mike Khalastchi
Star men: Mike Khalastchi, Jake Saunders, Richard Silver
Top-scorer: Dan Baneth
DC Rating: With an emphasis on youth, Camden were desperately unlucky not to be crowned champions, having lost fewer games than Hendon B. In the end it wasn’t to be for a team that impressed on a regular basis. They made an excellent start, going 12 games unbeaten, and were the model of consistency from start to finish. With Khalastchi, Jake Saunders and wonder kid Richard Silver catching the eye on a regular basis, the return of Luke Brookner in the latter stages gave them another dimension and assuming they keep him, he will be a big player for them against next season. 9/10

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3. LONDON MACCABI LIONS B
Record: Pl. 18, W. 11, D. 1, L. 6, F. 52, A. 31, Pts. 34
Best result: 4-0 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 4-0 vs Hendon
Worst result: 5-1 vs Glenthorne A
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Best signing: Joel Ruben
Star men: James Gold, Joel Ruben, Max Kyte
Top-scorer: James Gold 21
DC Rating: It would be fair to say that if the Lions had 11 James Gold’s they would’ve won the title. Nicknamed ‘Jimmy Goals’ after a brilliant campaign, Jamie Kyte’s men clicked into gear in the second half of the season and never looked back. A 4-0 win over champions Hendon B was the perfect way to finish an excellent season. And with Raiders A folding, there’s a chance they could go up. Watch this space … 7/10

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4. GLENTHORNE UNITED A
Record: Pl. 18, W. 9, D. 3, L. 6, F. 45, A. 30, Pts. 30
Best result: 7-1 vs Faithfold C
Biggest win: 5-1 vs Lions B
Worst result: 5-1 vs Glenthorne A
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 3
Best signing: Craig Berg
Star men: Gary Tiller, Joe Grant, John Lessem
Top-scorer: Dan Lipman 9
DC Rating: The Thornes will come away from season 2011/12 with many regrets. What if? That will be the biggest question facing the board of directors. What if they’d have had a regular source of goals in the absence of talisman Dan Lipman. There was no disgrace finishing behind Hendon B, Camden and Lions B but the bottom line is they should and so easily could’ve done better. 7/10

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5. FAITHFOLD B
Record: Pl. 18, W. 9, D. 3, L. 6, F. 41, A. 27, Pts. 30
Best result: 2-1 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 6-1 vs L’Equipe
Worst result: 3-3 vs L’Equipe
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Best signing: N/A
Star men: David Grabiner, Leor Harel, Dan Edjelman, Daniel Stock
Top-scorer: Adam Grossman/Dan Hildebrand
DC Rating: It was a decent season for the Superhoops but deep down, manager Rob Shooman will know it could have been better. At the start of the season, assistant-manager Ben Lewis told me that they were gunning for the title, but try as they might, they didn’t have enough over the course of the season. But there were several plus points, including the emergence of Dan Stock as well as the reliable David Grabiner in goal. Leor Harel and Dan Edjelman also came in for praise, although things may have been different had the free-scoring Dan Hildebrand stayed. 7/10

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6. REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C
Record: Pl. 18 W. 8, D. 2, L. 8, F. 40, A. 44, Pts. 26
Best result: 2-1 vs Glenthorne
Biggest win: 6-2 vs Faithfold C
Worst result: 2-1 vs L’Equipe
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 1
Best signing: Hadley Silver
Star man: Doron Weinstein
Top-scorer: Doron Weinstein 21
DC Rating: What Robin Van Persie was to Arsenal, Doron Weinstein was to Redbridge C. Everything he hit turned to goals. The team went on an excellent run between late September and mid-November. However, they struggled for consistency and suffered with injuries to key players over the second half of the season. In the end, they were left dreaming of what might’ve been. 5/10

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7. FC TEAM B
Record: Pl. 18, W. 5, D. 3, L. 10, F. 39, A. 55, Pts. 18
Best result: 2-2 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 6-1 vs L’Equipe
Worst result: 7-1 vs Lions
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Best signing: Adam Goldsmith
Star man: Freddie Marks
Top-scorer: Freddie Marks 8
DC Rating: Ben Simon’s troops made an encouraging start and finish, it’s just the bit on the middle they need to work on! Much like Liverpool, they excelled against the top teams but failed to hit the heights against the others. Entertainment was the name of the game and I expect them to bridge the gap a bit more next season. 4/10

9. FAITHFOLD C
Record: Pl. 18, W. 3, D. 4, L. 11, F. 31, A. 61, Pts. 13
Best result: 3-2 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 3-2 vs Hendon
Worst result: 7-1 vs Glenthorne
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 1
Best signing: David Sherman
Star men: Ben Simons, David Sherman
Top-scorer: Ben Simons 15
DC Rating: It was a tough old season for David Garson and his merry men. On paper they had the players to avoid relegation but despite the best efforts of old war horse Ben Simons, they failed to score enough goals to keep their heads above water. The good news for Faithfold fans is that Garson is determined to get the team back into Division Two at the first time of asking. The gaffer also played his part with some excellent displays in goal. 3/10